Warp Spider

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Targetdrone.gif This article is about the Aspect Warrior; for the Creature, see Warp Spider (creature).
Rune Symbol Basic Data
Spiderrune.jpg Name Warp Spiders
Phoenix Lord Lhykhis
Phoenix Lord Title The Whispering Web[7]
Main colours Red, black, white
Combat Speciality Surprise ambushing tactics

The Warp Spiders are one of the types of Aspect Warriors, Eldar who represent a facet of their war god Kaela Mensha Khaine, in their case trapping, ensnaring, and slaying intruders in the realm of the gods.[8] Taking their name from the same creatures[11] who protect the Infinity Circuits of their Craftworlds, Warp Spiders epitomise aggressive defence and make use of their teleportation devices to attack the enemy suddenly and disappear before they can retaliate.[1a][2][3]

Overview

Warp Spider[11]

The Phoenix Lord of the Shrine is known as Lhykhis[6], whose name is likely derived from the Kaelorian lore of the Lhykosidae, the Wraith Spider.[4] Fighting in squads of five to ten members, which normally includes an Exarch to lead them[3b], Warp Spiders are deadly warriors who model their weaponry and armour on those of the warp spiders, which swarm and destroy any intruding psychic presence within the Wraithbone skeleton of their Craftworld's Infinity Circuit.[1a][2b][3a]

Warp Spiders epitomise the doctrine of aggressive defence, attacking without warning from an unseen quarter. Thanks to their jump generators, they can briefly enter the Warp before teleporting back into the Materium in the blink of an eye. This enables them to make the totally unexpected attacks on their foes that have become their hallmark. Such a tactic is not without substantial risk, however, for it exposes the warrior for a short time inside the hell-dimension of the Warp and the Daemons within.[10]

As a result, of all the Aspect Shrines the Warp Spiders are considered the bravest simply for their normal method of operation. Even traveling a short distance through the Warp is a tremendous risk, with not just their lives but their very souls on the line.[3a] Despite this, they are also regarded as strange and terrifying, the furthest removed from the normal Eldar mindset of all the Aspect Shrines.[1d] Warp Spiders also tend to have a bleak outlook on life, and rarely mix with warriors from other Aspect Shrines.[6]

Equipment

The signature piece of equipment used by Warp Spiders is the Warp Spider Jump Generator, a compact device housed within the armoured backpack of their Aspect Armour which allows for short journeys through the Warp. For combat, the Warp Spider's most commonly make use of their ritual weapon, the Death Spinner, a Monofilament Weapon which easily slices through flesh and bone.[1a][2b][3a]

Warp Spider armour is much bulkier compared to that worn by most other Shrines, making them more heavily armoured but slower. While this would be more constricting for the movements of other Eldar warriors, the Warp Spiders' unique teleportation abilities negate this disadvantage.[1b][2b] The colouration of this armour is traditionally some variation on red and black,[2c] and is further warded to allow for safer travel through the Warp, which provides some protection against psychic powers.[5]

Warp Spider Exarchs

Warp Spider Exarch

Exarchs are those Eldar who have become lost upon the Path of the Warrior and are unable to leave it, dedicating their whole life to mastering the art of warfare. They wear ancient and more elaborate versions of their Aspect Armour which contain the souls of past Exarchs, granting the wearer their knowledge and a vast pool of raw psychic energy to draw from.[1] The Warp Spider Exarch sits upon the "Fanged Throne" within their Aspect Shrine.[12b]

The Exarchs of the Warp Spider Shrines have honed their skills as ambushers to a fine detail and passed on this knowledge to their squad. They are not only experts at surprise assaults, teleporting onto the battlefield in a storm of crackling lightning, but also know the best times to withdraw from combat and set up to perform further hit-and-run attacks.[3a] Instead of a Death Spinner, some Exarchs will go into battle with a pair of Powerblades and two Death Weavers, wielding them in mounts upon their waists. These waist mounts can also be replaced by an additional pair of Powerblades, giving them a total of four melee weapons to slash their foes with. Other Exarchs may instead opt for longer-ranged firepower with a Spinneret Rifle.[9]

On the bizarre isolated Craftworld of Kaelor, where only one Warp Spider Exarch is allowed to exist, the additional rank of Arachnir has emerged, which serves below the Exarch but acts senior to the other Warp Spiders and Aspect Warriors.[12a]

Notable Warp Spiders Shrines

Statue of Ahnakh-Yth[9]

Images

Miniatures

  • Warp Spider Trooper (2nd Edition)

  • Warp Spider Trooper (10th Edition)

Sources


Craftworld Eldar Forces
Command Autarchs • Bonesingers • Farseers • Spiritseers • Warlocks • Exarchs
Aspect Warriors
Troops Guardians (Guardian Defenders • Storm Guardians) • Windrider Squadrons • Rangers (Pathfinders • Shroud Runners) • Ghost-Warriors • Wraithguard • Wraithblades
Support Weapons Grav Platform • Support Battery • War Walker
Constructs Avatar of Khaine • Wraithknight • Wraithlord
Special Characters Amallyn Shadowguide • Eldrad Ulthran • Illic Nightspear • Iyanna Arienal • Nuadhu 'Fireheart' • Yriel
Phoenix Lords Asurmen • Baharroth • Drastanta • Fuegan • Irillyth • Jain Zar • Karandras • Lhykhis • Maugan Ra
Fortifications Webway Gate
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